California Median
$76,160
per year
Hourly Rate
$36.62
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+21% vs US median
US median $63,190
State Rank
#15 of 51
73,310 employed here
How much does an Electrician make in California?
Electricians in California take home a median of $76,160 annually — roughly $36.62 an hour — which runs 21% above the national median of $63,190.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $46,800 while the top 10% make $140,340 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $59,280 and $103,000 a year.
Electrician salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $46,800 | $22.50 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $59,280 | $28.50 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $76,160 | $36.62 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $103,000 | $49.52 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $140,340 | $67.47 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories for Electrician pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Electrician salary in other states
Oregon $101,310Illinois $99,560Hawaii $96,460Washington $95,220Alaska $89,440Massachusetts $79,420District of Columbia $78,970New York $78,750Minnesota $78,160Connecticut $77,540New Jersey $77,250Montana $76,760Wisconsin $76,540Michigan $76,270Wyoming $76,120Maine $75,380Rhode Island $74,090Nevada $73,570Maryland $73,490Indiana $68,490Pennsylvania $67,600Kansas $65,860North Dakota $65,710Missouri $65,410West Virginia $64,810Ohio $64,700Delaware $63,700Vermont $63,430Idaho $63,000Virginia $62,900New Hampshire $62,840Colorado $62,230Utah $62,000Louisiana $61,540South Dakota $61,390Tennessee $61,090Arizona $61,060Oklahoma $61,010Iowa $60,860Mississippi $60,860Nebraska $60,820Kentucky $59,720South Carolina $58,740Texas $58,570New Mexico $58,390Georgia $58,320Florida $57,250North Carolina $56,800Alabama $55,690Arkansas $49,070
Working as an Electrician in California
Nationally, about 757,000 people work as Electricians in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($76,160) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much does an Electrician make in California?
The median Electrician salary in California is $76,160 per year, or about $36.62 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $46,800 at the entry level to $140,340 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Electricians about 21% more than the national median of $63,190. California ranks 15th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Electricians?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $76,160 a year. About 73,310 Electricians are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Electrician salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.